Voters were slated to decide the issue during the November general election, but questions arose about whether having a municipal issue on the ballot was legal. City councilors will instead vote again at their next meeting whether to pass bonds for the project.

If there are not enough votes (seven out of nine votes) in favor, councilors will have to decide if they want taxpayers to pay an estimated $400,00 to for a special election.

"Why aren't we just fighting this? Now we're back to talking about council passing the bonds again? Truly a waste of time," Councilman Isaac Benton said during Monday's council meeting.

"Mayor (Richard) Berry is committed to digging out every ground ball," said Rob Perry, who works for the city. "Whatever it takes to get Paseo and I-25 built, we intend to do."

If city councilors decide to keep the issue on the November general election ballot, the city attorney said it could open Albuquerque up to lawsuits.

A Justice Department civil rights investigation has concluded that the Ferguson Police Department and the city's municipal court engaged in a "pattern and practice" of discrimination against African Americans, targeting them disproportionately for tr...